Monday, November 29, 1999

Ruling party loses Chittagong mayoral election

Chittagong, June 18 (IANS) Mohammed Manjur Alam, backed by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, will be the mayor of Chittagong, the country's second largest city that is also its principal port, it was announced Friday.This marked a setback for the ruling Awami League of Prime Minister Hasina Wajed that had backed A.B.M. Mohiuddin Chowdhury in a bitterly-fought election marked by violence.The election victory could enthuse opposition leader and two-term prime minister Khaleda Zia who has vowed to launch protests against the government from June 27.